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Akron NAACP urges use-of-force policy overhaul after grand jury decision in Jasmine Tucker case
Summary
An Akron NAACP representative told the Citizens Police Oversight Board the grand jurys "no bill" decision in the Jasmine Tucker shooting underscores a need for a more specific use-of-force policy, greater transparency from city administration, and active community participation in the policy review.
Leah Holden, speaking on behalf of the Akron NAACP during the Citizens Police Oversight Boards public-comment period, said the group seeks changes to the citys use-of-force policies in the wake of a grand jurys "no bill" decision in the Jasmine Tucker shooting.
"The grand jury has done its work and been thanked by the mayor," Holden said, adding that the Fraternal Order of Police had "pointed his finger" without acknowledging room for improvement in policies and practices. "The NAACP reaffirms that we need change to ensure that we never face another moment like this."
Holden said the loose language of the Akron Police Departments use-of-force policy makes internal reviews predictable and urged the board and the community to press for specific safeguards. She pledged the NAACPs participation in the upcoming use-of-force policy review and called on residents to join the effort.
She also raised transparency concerns about how the city responds to independent-auditor recommendations. "We know that the city, despite an agreement to respond to recommendations within 45 days, mostly misses that deadline and declines to use the auditors recommendations to bring about timely change," Holden said, urging the mayor and police chief to provide "timely, specific, and substantive responses."
The board did not take formal action on the public comment itself; the remarks were entered into the record and preceded the auditor and committee reports on the agenda.
